T-Mobile, Nokia Strike Major 5G Deal

T-Mobile announced that it reached a multi-year agreement with Nokia on the development of its 5G network in the United States.

The deal, which is worth $3.5 billion, will “accelerate the deployment of a nationwide 5G network” over the next few years. With tests ongoing, T-Mobile would like to have its next-generation connectivity live and available in 2019. But it’ll be a lengthy process to go from nothing to nationwide for T-Mobile even though it already has a significant amount of spectrum on-hand.

Nokia is tasked with providing hardware, software, and services. The Finnish company felt a slowdown in business as 4G LTE networks have become global, so picking up a contract from T-Mobile seems like a big boost.

Both companies talked about the benefits of 5G for consumers. As our mobile devices become more demanding, T-Mobile and Nokia say we need stronger and faster networks.

T-Mobile’s potential merger with Sprint was highlighted, too. The still-pending deal between two of the nation’s largest carriers could lead to an enhanced 5G network as well as lower prices.

Neville Ray, T-Mobile’s Chief Technology Officer, said the following about the deal:

“We’re all in on 5G. Every dollar we spend is a 5G dollar, and our agreement with Nokia underscores the kind of investment we’re making to bring customers a mobile, nationwide 5G network. And together with Sprint, we’ll be able to do So. Much. More.”

The press release makes it clear that T-Mobile wants to take advantage of Nokia’s technologies. It’ll use “commercial AirScale radio platforms and cloud-native core, AirFrame hardware, CloudBand software, SON and 5G Acceleration Services.” Basically, Nokia has permission to do everything in its power for T-Mobile’s 5G network to be the best.

In late 2018, the magenta-loving carrier will test 5G connectivity in select U.S. cities. The network of the future should be ready for all consumers next year.